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Rising
572m from the sea near Ancona, Monte Conero is one
of Marche¹s
best known landmarks. It is home to a regional park
and is an excellent
place to see birds such as the marsh harrier and long-legged
buzzard, while its coastal waters offer beautiful
coved beaches and are ideal for organised boat trips.
Just south of Ancona the
white cliffs of Monte Cónero plunge straight
into
the sea, forming the northern Adriatic's most spectacular
and enjoyable
stretch of coastline.
It's easily accessible, with the major resorts of
Portonovo , Sirolo and Numana all linked by bus from
Ancona, either
from the train station or Piazza Cavour. Sirolo
and Numana are now almost
as crowded in July and August as the rest of the Adriatic
resorts, the main difference being that their cliff-backed
beaches are more picturesque. The most stunning stretch
of coast, a series of tiny coves at the base of Monte
Cònero between Portonovo and Sirolo, is best
explored by boat - they leave from both bays. You
can go just for the scenery or ask to be dropped off
somewhere along the way for a few hours of swimming.
This
stretch of coast is the home of Rosso
Cónero wine, made from the
same Montepulciano grape as Chianti, though less well-known
than its Tuscan counterpart. Rarely found outside
Italy, there's a chance to sample it at the Rosso
Cónero
festival at Camerano, 8km inland from Monte Cónero
in the first week in September, with tastings, music
and theatre.
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